It Is Okay to Rest

Today was a slow, heavy day. My eyes kept closing. My arms and legs felt full of sand. I had a long list of things to do. I did almost none of them.

In the afternoon, I lay down. "Get up. There is so much to do," said a small voice inside me.

Then [family member's name] came and sat beside me on the bed. A warm hand stroked my hair. And a soft voice said, "Rest. You are not doing nothing. You are growing a whole new life. That is real work. The biggest work there is."

It is okay to rest.

The fan was turning slowly. On the window ledge, a pigeon was cooing. Coo, coo. The sheet was cool and soft. [Family member's name] pulled it up over my feet and said, "The work can wait. Your rest cannot."

So I closed my eyes. I let my shoulders go soft. I listened to my own slow breath, in and out.

It is okay to rest.

You know, little one, your tiny body is being made, bit by bit, every day. My body works for you even when I lie still. So when I rest, I am helping you. And you are teaching me to slow down.

When I woke up, the light outside was golden. The list was still there. And that was fine.

It is okay to rest. Today I rested for both of us. That is enough.